Day 1 – Discover Kigali & Drive to Volcanoes National Park
Your Rwandan adventure begins! Our experienced guide will pick you up bright and early from your Kigali hotel or the airport. We’ll start with a tour of the vibrant capital city, including a humbling visit to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre. Learn about Rwanda’s tragic history where over 300,000 lives were lost in 1994. Next, we’ll explore lively local markets, see the stately King’s Palace Museum, and drive past the parliamentary buildings. After a hearty traditional Rwandan lunch, we depart Kigali and make the scenic 2 hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. Winding through Rwanda’s countryside of rolling green hills, it’s easy to see why this is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Arriving at the base of the magnificent volcanoes, we’ll check into our comfortable lodge nestled in the foothills. After settling in, enjoy a delicious dinner featuring local cuisine. The lodge staff will brief you on what to expect for gorilla trekking tomorrow. Overnight at Volcanoes National Park area lodge.
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking & Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
It’s gorilla trekking day! Enjoy an early breakfast to fuel up for the exciting day ahead. We’ll drive to Kinigi Park Headquarters where all trekkers must report for the pre-trek briefing at 7am sharp. Here the park guides will assign you to a gorilla family based on your fitness level. After hiring a porter to assist with carrying your day pack, we head into Volcanoes National Park to search for the gorillas! The trek itself can take 2-6 hours depending on the family’s location. The scenic hike passes through dense rainforest and bamboo thickets, traversing steep slopes and muddy trails. Your guide will clear a path with a machete if needed. We listen for the rumblings and rustling that signal the gorillas are near. Your efforts will be rewarded when you finally spot them! You’ll be allowed to quietly observe the gorilla family for a magical hour. Witnessing these gentle giants interacting is an unbelievable and humbling experience. After an hour, we’ll hike back to the start point where the driver meets us. Return to the lodge for a scrumptious lunch and chance to relax after an exhilarating morning! In the late afternoon, we’ll visit the lively Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, located near your lodge. Here you’ll take a tour led by a local guide to learn about traditional Rwandan music, dance, arts, and architecture. For dinner, enjoy a interactive traditional dance performance while feasting on delicious local cuisine. Overnight again at the lodge.
Day 3 – Relaxation & Return to Kigali
On your final day in Rwanda, enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast at your lodge. Soak in the volcano views one last time before packing up. We’ll return to Kigali by road, stopping along the way to take in more of Rwanda’s stunning landscapes. If you missed out on the Kigali city tour, we’ll make sure to see the highlights before departing. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the Kigali airport for your flight home. Farewell dear friends, we hope to see you again in beautiful Rwanda!
